Border Crossing Restrictions

[PoshinDevon]

Just read this on social media. An interesting and not unexpected development if true.... I have no reason to doubt it. I am no expert on EU law but can the ROC legally do this? I presume that the tour coaches that pick up from hotels and cross from the south to visit Girne and Gazimagusa will now not be allowed?

The official note from Ministry of foreign affairs to all diplomatic missions in Republic of Cyprus follows:

To all Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Republic of Cyprus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus presents its compliments to all Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Republic of Cyprus and has the honour to inform that as of 17 July 2020, the procedure for the approval of crossings from the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus to the government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus with the purpose of repatriation via the submission of a request with a Note Verbale, will be terminated.

The aforementioned procedure will continue to apply (i.e. submission of the relevant request via a Note Verbale) on an exceptional basis strictly for humanitarian reasons (serious health reasons or urgent medical assistance, death of a family member) accompanied by appropriate proof of the validity of the request.

All other cases will be governed by the current applicable measures at the crossing points as announced by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on June 21, 2020 i.e: crossing to and from the areas under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus, will be allowed only for all Cypriot citizens and all persons permanently residing in the Republic.

[waddo]

As previously predicted, the first step by the South in stopping all non Cypriots from crossing from the North to the South! Currently only applying to flights but don’t hold your breath in the hopes of things returning to pre Covid ways. Just one of many nails in the peace process to come?

[PoshinDevon]

It’s the very last paragraph that’s really applicable.....”crossing to and from the areas under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus will be allowed only for all Cypriot citizens and all persons permanently residing in the Republic”.

That to me means no one on holiday can cross, no one who uses a ROC port of entry to either holiday or cross to the north will be allowed to do so. Therefore the tourists in the south will not be crossing on day trips. I am trying to understand the EU regulations about EU citizens being allowed to cross.... thought this was somehow enshrined in EU law/regulations. Could well be wrong of course.

[kerry 6138]

My understanding is
The RoC dont recognise the TRNC so there is no border.
The EU claims the north has EU territory but has suspended its rules has the RoC dont have effective control.
The green line is a ceasefire line regulated by the UN.

The TRNC and Turkey of course see things differently.

[PoshinDevon]

The EU has suspended its rules? What does that mean?

I think I am going to do some more research as my old memory keeps telling me that part of the requirement for Cyprus to join the EU included free passage to all parts of the island for EU citizens?

Appreciate for U.K. citizens this may well change at the end of this year but for other EU citizens?

This of course has absolutely nothing to do with Covid 19 but in amongst all that has happened over the last few months the ROC have slowly eased in this ruling. Big politics at play here. The ROC tourist industry is on its knees. EU tourists are not travelling and British tourists who make up a large percentage of them are currently struggling to travel. Any tourists that do arrive will now only be allowed to holiday in the south to ensure there money does not filter across to the north, thereby squeezing the TRNC economy further. No day trips from tour operators in the south to Girne, Gazimagusa or Lefkosa.

Throw in the mix the spat about hydrocarbons/gas drilling by Turkey and anything Greece or the ROC can do to damage the TRNC will be done.

Pity really as we love the whole island but this is typical of how the ROC operates.

[terry2366]

It will also mean that if tourists want to visit the north they have to use ercan. I'm ok not using roc airports pity though the Gc shops will lose revenue Turkey should get more tourists and the coaches from the south will lose business. Sadly shops in the north will suffer.

[terry2366]

Maybe now they will allow direct flights

[kerry 6138]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norther ... pean_Union

The Green Line Regulation[13] has been implemented to regulate movement through the 'Green Line', the border that separates Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot areas, and to help the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots. In order to avoid recognising the TRNC by implication, The European Commission has dealt with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce rather than ministerial authorities, which would have been the norm. This offered the chamber an important role in the relations with the EU.[14]

As of 2018, the EU recognises the north as being outside the control of the Greek Cypriot–led government of the Republic and hence is temporarily exempt from EU legislation.

[Brinsley]

Strange as the EU flag of Cyprus depicts the whole outline coast of the Island! Brussels, unfortunately have had a gun to their head from Greece and then ROC from 1st May 2004. All UN & EU promises to TRNC broken after the referendum went against their wishes as they were sycophantic to the Hellenic Republic and even financially bailed them out after years of fraud and corruption!
Not too much better here!!!!!!

[come_on_aylin]

Everyone who uses the airports in the South should contact the airlines they use to inform them that they will no longer be able to fly with them due to the ROC policies, stating the number of flights normally taken in a year. Stelios Haji Ioannou of Easyjet, in particular, has always encouraged bicommunal cooperation. In this climate Airlines can't afford to lose any more custom.

A friend in UK has written to her MP who is getting in touch with the foreign office, another action worth trying.

Anything that can publicise what's going on.

[PoshinDevon]

We had flights booked into and out of Larnaca but following this latest ROC announcement have decided to change them. Just cannot be bothered with hassle on arrival and issues trying to cross the border. Plus of course we all know the ROC will take every opportunity to make things difficult. Rebooked at no cost to fly internally in U.K. for a short break.

Now monitoring the situation re entry/quarantine requirements for U.K. citizens. Hopefully these will change soon and if so will rebook to fly into Ercan.

[Hair Cut]

Maybe now they will allow direct flights

Like i've said before, send an e mail to IATA and see what the reply is !!

[wanderer]

We had flights booked into and out of Larnaca but following this latest ROC announcement have decided to change them. Just cannot be bothered with hassle on arrival and issues trying to cross the border. Plus of course we all know the ROC will take every opportunity to make things difficult. Rebooked at no cost to fly internally in U.K. for a short break.

Now monitoring the situation re entry/quarantine requirements for U.K. citizens. Hopefully these will change soon and if so will rebook to fly into Ercan.

Tourism deputy minister Savvas Perdios conceded on Wednesday that Cyprus’ marketing of itself as a safe country which dealt with the coronavirus pandemic well has become a double-edged sword after major UK tour operators said they would not fly to Cyprus if tests are required.

“At least until mid-August, major travel agents will be sending their tourists to destinations which do not require tests,” Perdios told CyBC on Wednesday.

“Travel agents have other options and expectations. Seeing as there are options for them to go to other countries without checks and a test, they prefer the solution which for the time being is easier for them. Having said that, I do not mean that Cyprus needs to follow suit.”

Tour operators Tui and Jet2 announced on Tuesday that they will not fly to Cyprus unless the UK is moved to category A from August 1, meaning British holidaymakers would be allowed on the island without taking or providing a negative coronavirus test.

[Chelsea]

Just read this on social media. An interesting and not unexpected development if true.... I have no reason to doubt it. I am no expert on EU law but can the ROC legally do this? I presume that the tour coaches that pick up from hotels and cross from the south to visit Girne and Gazimagusa will now not be allowed?

The official note from Ministry of foreign affairs to all diplomatic missions in Republic of Cyprus follows:

To all Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Republic of Cyprus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus presents its compliments to all Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Republic of Cyprus and has the honour to inform that as of 17 July 2020, the procedure for the approval of crossings from the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus to the government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus with the purpose of repatriation via the submission of a request with a Note Verbale, will be terminated.

The aforementioned procedure will continue to apply (i.e. submission of the relevant request via a Note Verbale) on an exceptional basis strictly for humanitarian reasons (serious health reasons or urgent medical assistance, death of a family member) accompanied by appropriate proof of the validity of the request.

All other cases will be governed by the current applicable measures at the crossing points as announced by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on June 21, 2020 i.e: crossing to and from the areas under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus, will be allowed only for all Cypriot citizens and all persons permanently residing in the Republic.

I am the first to agree that the Greeks will stop us crossing at any given chance but I have reread this and don’t you think this is the rules of approval because of Covid, limiting only citizens at this time. Hoping so anyway, another story come the new year out of EU.

[PoshinDevon]

Just read this on social media. An interesting and not unexpected development if true.... I have no reason to doubt it. I am no expert on EU law but can the ROC legally do this? I presume that the tour coaches that pick up from hotels and cross from the south to visit Girne and Gazimagusa will now not be allowed?

The official note from Ministry of foreign affairs to all diplomatic missions in Republic of Cyprus follows:

To all Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Republic of Cyprus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus presents its compliments to all Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Republic of Cyprus and has the honour to inform that as of 17 July 2020, the procedure for the approval of crossings from the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus to the government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus with the purpose of repatriation via the submission of a request with a Note Verbale, will be terminated.

The aforementioned procedure will continue to apply (i.e. submission of the relevant request via a Note Verbale) on an exceptional basis strictly for humanitarian reasons (serious health reasons or urgent medical assistance, death of a family member) accompanied by appropriate proof of the validity of the request.

All other cases will be governed by the current applicable measures at the crossing points as announced by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on June 21, 2020 i.e: crossing to and from the areas under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus, will be allowed only for all Cypriot citizens and all persons permanently residing in the Republic.

I am the first to agree that the Greeks will stop us crossing at any given chance but I have reread this and don’t you think this is the rules of approval because of Covid, limiting only citizens at this time. Hoping so anyway, another story come the new year out of EU.

Nothing to do with Covid. There are other EU countries who are in either Category A or B and therefore their citizens should be allowed to cross freely over the border. The ROC authorities have made it clear that only Cypriots and those holding permanent residency status in the south may cross the border.

The reason for this is political. Firstly the tourist industry in the south relies on EU citizens therefore this new ruling will ensure any tourists remain in the south and spend money in the south only. No day tours to the north. No arrival at Larnaca or Paphos and cross to the north. Arrivals into the ROC will have to give a ROC address or hotel information. This also means the ROC can tighten the economic noose on the north and hurt the economy. Add to this that there is the bigger picture of the ROC not passing on any potential profits from gas drilling to Turkish Cypriots and also Turkey drilling for hydrocarbons around the north coast of Cyprus.......it is clear this is more than just about closing borders and restrictions due to Covid.

Covid is a convenient excuse but everyone can see this for what it is......however Brexit next year will almost certainly mean that U.K. citizens will likely only receive 30 days in country when arriving into Larnaca or Paphos. So entering via the south would not be an option for many if they then crossed to the north and stayed longer than 30 days....on rentry to the south they would be subject to a fine for overstaying.

I just think that people will have to accept that the ROC will do everything to make things difficult. Hence we will now only fly to Ercan.

[frugal90]

Would it not be 90 days as will be the case for the rest of the eu countries, rather than 30.

[PoshinDevon]

I believe it will only be 30 days as UK is not in the EU.

In addition on arrival in the TRNC it appears that immigration is giving 30 days. However if you can present a Kocan or rental agreement with property details officials MAY allow 90 days. Seems a bit hit and miss tho.

Extended or permanent stays require a temporary residency application to be submitted.

Of course I stand to be corrected if anyone knows or has experienced different.

[waddo]

"Brexit next year will almost certainly mean that U.K. citizens will likely only receive 30 days in country when arriving into Larnaca or Paphos".

Unless the RoC change the rules or just do it without telling the EU - because they can!

This is the latest from the Gov.UK Web site:

"Entering other countries
Visas for short trips: you will not need one if you’re a tourist
If you’re a tourist, you will not need a visa for short trips to EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period."

But the border guards don't read English so probably will not know about it in time for the end of December 2020.